A Mathematical Model of an Electoral Process and Predicting of Outcome

We developed and analysed a mathematical model to study the dynamics of an electoral process and predict the outcome in Nigeria with three political parties as major actors. We model the ruling party; major opposition party and minority opposition parties. The model includes party campaigners of the three political parties and a class of eligible voters. The model also incorporates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, judiciary, security personnel and thugs. The influx of voters into the system is determined by the registration rate of voter cards. The model’s interest lies in the measure of positive influence that the party campaigners who eligible voters to join their party. With this, the model mirrors election’s outcome and the movement of voters between the three groups of political parties involved. The model has proven that the pattern of election’s outcome for each political party is affected by the defection of party members and lack of policy consistency. We determine the equilibria analytically and discuss the stability of the system. Numerical simulations are graphed in combination with curve fitting to compare each party’s performances over the years. The result shows that no political party remains in power steadily from 2007 to 2019. Thus, the prediction of elections outcome to the political space of any region in Nigeria depends on political party structures and voters’ decisions

Chicken Eggshell Powder as Antibacterial Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Through In Vitro Studies

Identifying the most effective material with antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a challenging task considering the rising concerns about drug resistance. Various experiments through in vitro and in vivo studies to obtain antibacterial agents using abundant and easily available raw material sources have been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to acquire semiconducting nanoparticle material derived from purebred chicken eggshell waste that could effectively function as an antibacterial agent. The waste treatment was carried out using a top-down method applying the thermal decomposition method with calcination temperatures of 700 and 800 ºC for 30 hours. XRD analysis results showed CaO as a major phase and this was further supported by Rietveld calculation. The size of the crystalline phases obtained ranged from 10–45 nm, while FTIR analysis showed the appearance of CaO bond at a wave number of 715.65 cm-1. Furthermore, SEM analysis showed a rough folded particle surface with a pore percentage of 48.20%. Based on the UV-Vis DRS analysis results, chicken eggshell powder had band gap energy characteristics of 2.07, 2.74, 3.71, and 5.96 eV for sample B, as well as 4.60 and 5.82 eV for sample C. Activation of purebred chicken eggshell powder as antibacterial was performed both qualitatively and quantitatively using photocatalytic and non-photocatalytic methods. Qualitatively, both samples showed antibacterial activity, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1,000 µg/mL

Land Use Change Mapping and Analysis Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study in Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

Changes in land use/land cover (LULC) play a critical role in effective natural resource management, monitoring, and development, particularly within the realm of urban planning. In the examination of Tam Ky city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam, spanning from 2000 to 2020, remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were employed. The Landsat satellite data (Landsat 7 ETM+ for 2000, Landsat 5 TM for 2010, and Landsat 8 OLI for 2022) underwent analysis using the supervised classification method in ArcGIS 10.8 software to identify and categorize six primary LULC classes: water bodies, agriculture, settlements, vegetation, construction, and bare soil/rocks. The reliability of the classification was evaluated through k values, revealing high accuracy with values of 0.951, 0.953, and 0.950 for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. Notable shifts in LULC were observed during the period from 2000 to 2020. The areas covered by vegetation and settlements expanded by 53 and 1300 ha, respectively, while water bodies, agriculture, construction, and bare soil/rocks experienced reductions of 466, 48, 413, and 425 ha, respectively. To facilitate a rapid assessment, the study also incorporated the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI). The trends identified in this study are consistently aligned with the results of the supervised classification. The identified changes in LULC pose a substantial environmental threat, and the study's outcomes serve as a valuable asset for future land use planning and management in the area. The method's high accuracy enhances the dependability of the results, making them crucial for well-informed decision-making and sustainable development initiatives

Spatial Estimations of Suitable Intertidal Habitats for Conservations of Sea Urchin Community in Sancang Coast, West Java

The intertidal zone is an important habitat for marine organisms, including sea urchins. One of the potential intertidal zones is located on West Java's Sancang Coast. However, information about suitable habitats for sea urchins in this particular intertidal zone is still limited. Here, the spatial estimation of suitable habitats has been implemented aided by scoring, interpolation and overlay analysis of environmental variables and numbers of sea urchin individuals using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Environmental variable measurements and sea urchin surveys were implemented using the belt transect method. The estimated habitats were located at the Ciporeang, Cikujangjambe and Cibako sites, representing the East, Middle and West sides of intertidal zones that have distinct environmental variables. Based on the results, there were three sea urchin species, with Stomopneustes variolaris having the highest abundance, followed by Heterocentrotus trigonarius, and the lowest one was Diadema setosum. Most species were recorded in Cibako. Correspondingly, the Cibako site has a larger zone classified as very high (70%) and highly suitable (30%) for sea urchins as characterized by seagrass and algae cover, low water temperature, high pH, and salinity parameters. On the contrary, more than 50% of the rocky Ciporeang site zones, with warmer water and low salinity and pH, are not suitable for sea urchins. Therefore, the conservation of the Sancang Coast's sea urchin community should prioritize Cibako sites

Processing of Biodegradable Waste from Ceremonial Activities in Bali with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Larvae

The conducted study aimed to analyze the waste processing process from traditional ceremonies in Bali by examining the composition of the waste generated. Since most of the waste generated during these ceremonies is a biodegradable organic material, it is feasible to use sustainable bioconversion techniques such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to convert this waste into useful products. In the study, a feeding trial was conducted using a garbage blender consisting of banana fruit, rice, banana leaf, coconut leaf, and flower wastes. The BSF larvae were fed at a rate of 40 mg/larvae per day with a total of 200 larvae. The researchers measured the key processing parameters including overall degradation (OD), waste reduction index (WRI), and feed conversion efficiency (ECD) which resulted in values of 41.27±0.42%, 3.30±0.03 g/day, and 7.82±0.43%, respectively. The study found that the dry residue produced during the process was around 30-31% and met the minimum standards set for compost or biomass fuel. Additionally, the total mass of BSF larvae produced was around 16-18% in one cycle, which is a high protein source that can be used to feed animals

An Analytic Solution to The Inhomogeneous Verhulst Equation Using Multiple Expansion Methods

The present study aims to obtain an analytic solution for the inhomogeneous Verhults equation using multiple expansion methods. This study identifies the external factors represented by the inhomogeneous term that determine optimal variable conditions for ecosystem population growth. The simulation involves scenarios that utilize constant growth rates, periodic growth rates, constant external factors, and periodic external factors. It is found that external factors increase population growth, whereas constant external factors prevent growth under saturation conditions. Periodic external factors cause fluctuations in the amplitude of growth regions. The present study will highlight and discuss the development and application of the solution

Antibacterial Effect of Juglans regia, Citrus sinensis, Vicia faba, and Urtica urens Extracts under In vitro Conditions

Various agricultural products are known to have anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. As we can mention, Walnut (Juglans regia) husk, orange (Citrus sinensis) peel, Broad bean (Vicia faba) peel, and Nettle (Urtica urens) are proven to have antimicrobial and anticancer actions. Also, plant diseases such a Pectobacterium carotovorum, Ralstonia solanacearum, Dickeya chrysanthemi, and Pseudomonoas syringae are known to cause annual damage to plant products. Therefore, in the current study, the researchers evaluated their antibacterial activity on the mentioned bacteria under in vitro conditions. Extracts of J. regia husk, C. sinensis peel, V. faba outer peel and U. urens were prepared by maceration method and their anti-bacterial activity on P. carotovorum, D. chrysanthemi, P. syringae, R. solancearum was evaluated using blank disk and well diffusion to obtain minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. J. regia (husk) and V. faba (outer peel) extracts revealed an anti-bacterial effect on all 4 studied bacteria, while C. sinensis (peel) only inhibited the growth of P. syringae and U. urens only had this effect on P. syringae and R. Solancearum. The inhibition zones varied from 8 to 14 mm, while almost all MIC and MBC rates were 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. Based on the antimicrobial results, the extracts that showed suitable antibacterial effects on certain bacteria can be further studied to be used as natural pesticides

Advancing Green Nanotechnology: Harnessing the Bio-reducing Properties of Musa paradisiaca Peel Extract for Sustainable Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

A green synthesis method utilizing Musa paradisiaca peel extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent was employed to produce iron oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were extensively characterized using FTIR, XRD, DLS, SEM, EDX, and TEM techniques. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of iron metal and functional groups derived from the peel extract. XRD results indicated the presence of magnetite (Fe3O4) and/or maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) phases, signifying a high degree of crystallinity. DLS analysis provided valuable insights into the size distribution and polydispersity of the nanoparticles, revealing an average particle diameter of 43.35 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.612. SEM examination uncovered the presence of aggregated formations, where irregularly shaped nanoparticles exhibited either close packing or loose association, resulting in the formation of larger aggregates. These environmentally friendly iron oxide nanoparticles could potentially hold great promise for a variety of biological applications, including the potential for drug delivery and antimicrobial applications

Utilizing Satellite Imagery for Seasonal Trophic Analysis in the Freshwater Reservoir

Eutrophication, an aquatic problem that impacts water quality and ecosystems, can be addressed through technological developments utilizing satellite imagery to analyze the trophic status of water. This study aimed to determine the trophic status of the freshwater reservoir in different seasons using satellite imagery. Water quality data were obtained from field surveys (11 samples) during the wet and dry seasons in Cirata Reservoir (Indonesia) while the remote sensing images were obtained from the Landsat-8 OLI. Trophic status refers to Carlson's Trophic State Index consisting of two parameters named chlorophyll-A and water transparency. This study found that satellite imagery could estimate seasonal trophic information. During the wet season, the algorithms determined information about chlorophyll-A (48%) and transparency (35%). Whereas during the dry season, the algorithms successfully estimated both information at 59% and 21%, respectively. Unfortunately, the Landsat-8 OLI had limitations for estimating total phosphorus. From these two parameters, the trophic status in the Cirata Reservoir showed moderate (wet season) and mild (dry season) eutrophic. Cirata Reservoir has a higher trophic level during the wet season since it has more surface water supply with lots of pollutants

Using Some Promising Insecticides as A Management Tool Against The Major Sucking Pests of Country Bean

An experiment has been conducted to know the efficiency of some promising pyrethroids and bio-rational insecticides for controlling the major sucking pests of country beans under field conditions during the winter season September 2020 – March 2021. The different treatments were Cypermethrin 10 EC (T1), Lambda-Cyhalothrin 2.5 EC (T2), Emamectin benzoate 5 SG (T3), Abamectin 1.8 EC (T4), Spinosad 45 SC (T5), and untreated control (T6). The rate of leaf infestation at the lower, middle, and top stages of country bean ranged from 8.82–17.78, 13.89–36.39, and 13.72–33.33% in T5treated and untreated control plots, respectively. The rate of shoot infestation at the middle and top stages of country bean ranged from 18.67–34.33 and 17.00–39.27% in T5 treated and untreated control plots, individually. The lowest and highest inflorescence infestation of 29.15% and 46.67% was recorded in T5 treated and untreated control plots, separately.The lowest fruit infestation of 8.84% by number and 8.32% by weight was recorded in the treated plot T5. The rate of reduction of pod infestation over control was 48.58, 24.02, 23.39, 21.81, and 19.92% by number and 73.53, 61.76, 58.82, 52.94, and 41.18% by weight in the treated plot T5, T4, T1, T3, and T2, respectively. The yield in different treatments ranged from 1.35-2.50 t ha-1. The highest adjusted net return and BCR of Tk. 52220.00 and 2.42, respectively were obtained from T2 treated plots. The second highest BCR of 2.16 was calculated from T4 treated plot. The lowest BCR of 1.05 was found in T2 treated plot. The treatments T5, T4, and T3 were effective to suppress the major sucking pests of the country bean